Roberta Aguirre
Kuching International Airport is a spacious, recently renovated airport with clean facilities and a wide variety of shops and restaurants. If you have a long layover, you can explore the city, which is only 15-20 minutes away by taxi. Head to the city centre and try the local fare at Choon Hui Cafe or Chong Choon, or grab a coffee at Black Bean Coffee. You can also walk along the waterfront, browse the souvenir shops along Main Bazaar, and visit the post office. If you're looking to buy some kek lapis, head to Liza Kek Lapis at Main Bazaar or DiWannie Kek Lapis at Lorong Satok 9.
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What You'll Learn
Head to the city centre for food and drinks
If you're looking for food and drinks in Kuching, head to the city centre, where you'll find a variety of options to choose from, including local delicacies and popular food courts.
For a true taste of Kuching, sample the local specialty, Kolo Mee. Every local has their preferred spot for this dish, and you can find your favourite by trying a few! Head to Ewe Hai Street in the historic heart of Kuching, where you'll find Kim Joo Café, a popular coffee shop serving this local delicacy. If you're staying on Carpenter Street, this is conveniently located close by. Carpenter Street also has a temple auditorium, "Low Ya Keng", which is another popular spot to eat. Here, you can find a variety of dishes, including excellent fish ball and bean curd glass noodles, savoury pork satay, pork soup, and Kueh Chap. If you have a sweet tooth, cross the road to the food stand opposite the temple to try their deep-fried banana fritters, known as 'cucur pisang'.
For a cheap eat in the city centre, try Sarawak laksa at Choon Hui Café on Ban Hock Road. This local favourite also serves one of the best Po Piah (spring rolls) in town, made fresh as you wait. If you're looking for something more substantial, try the roti kawin (doubled toasted toast) served with coconut preserve. You can wash it down with the local kopi ‘o (coffee), prepared in the traditional style. However, be sure to get there early, as they usually sell out by 11:00 am. Another highly recommended Sarawak laksa can be found at the Chong Choon Café off Abell Road.
If you're looking for a wider variety of options under one roof, Kuching has several popular food courts. Premier 101 Food Centre is one of the most popular food courts in Kuching, coming to life after 6 pm and remaining open until late at night. For a taste of local delicacies, visit Song Kheng Hai Food Court, one of the oldest food courts in the Jalan Padungan area. Here, you'll find an extensive range of local dishes, including kuey teow, tomato noodles, kong pia, bamboo coconut juice, fresh coconut, Indian curry with Biryani, Belacan Bee Hoon, Chinese fried rice, and Mee goreng.
With so many options to choose from, you're sure to satisfy your cravings in the city centre of Kuching!
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Visit the waterfront for photos and souvenirs
The Kuching Waterfront is a 1.3km stretch along the southern bank of the Sarawak River. It is a popular tourist attraction, lined with major hotels, restaurants, eateries, souvenir shops, and entertainment outlets. It is also frequented by locals.
The waterfront boasts scenic views of the river, traditional boats, and the State Legislative Assembly building. It is a great spot for a walk, especially at sunset, with plenty of photo opportunities. There are also pedestrian bridges and a promenade with bistros and benches.
The Main Bazaar along the waterfront is the perfect place to purchase souvenirs. It is recommended to buy souvenirs here rather than at the airport, as prices are reportedly much higher at the airport. You can find unique Sarawakian items and food along the Main Bazaar, including Sarawak laksa, mee kolok, mee jawa, and beef noodles.
The Kuching Waterfront is also a culturally and racially diverse place, attracting locals and foreigners of all ages. It is a safe and secure location, with very few occurrences of theft or disturbances. Most retail outlets do good business throughout the week, so you will have plenty of options for food and fun whenever you visit.
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Try local fare like laksa and kolo mee
Sarawak laksa is a variation of laksa that originates from the Malaysian state of Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo. It is a noodle curry soup that traditionally comes with shrimps, rice vermicelli noodles, tender slices of chicken, crispy and fresh beansprouts, omelette strips, and fresh herbs like coriander.
If you're looking for the best Sarawak laksa in Kuching, here are some top-rated options:
- Laksa Fat Cat—Features a unique curry flavour and is priced at a wallet-friendly RM 8.00 for a regular portion.
- Madam Tang's—Presented beautifully and has a rich and dense curry flavour.
- Poh Lam Laksa at the Chong Choon Cafe—Perhaps the most famous laksa stall in all of Kuching.
- Madam Lau Laksa—Located near the waterfront at the Da' Apple Kopitiam, this laksa has impressive presentation and a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. It is priced at RM 8.00, and you can buy an additional egg for RM 2.00.
Kolo mee is another popular dish in Kuching, particularly for those who grew up in Sarawak. It is a memorable dish seasoned nicely with pork lard, adding a natural sweetness and smooth consistency to the noodles. The fried onion also adds an exciting crunch to each bite.
- Oriental Park Cafe—Serves the original kolo mee seasoned nicely with pork lard and fried onion. They also serve red kolo mee, which has the addition of red sauce, making it slightly sweeter.
- Sin Lian Shin—A legendary shop serving kolo mee that has been around for more than five decades. It is very popular among students and workers in the area.
- Kafe Bujang Lelang—A hidden place in Batu Kawa that serves Mee Kolok a little differently from the usual Chinese preparation. The stall is owned by Dayak, so the method of preparation is unique.
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Shop for kek lapis and kain batik Sarawak
If you're looking to shop for kek lapis and kain batik Sarawak while in Kuching, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, for fresh kek lapis layer cakes, you can visit Liza Kek Lapis at the Main Bazaar, which operates from 10 am to 6:30 pm. Another option is DiWannie Kek Lapis at Lorong Satok 9, open from 8:30 am to 9 pm. If you're specifically interested in butter cake, Taka and Mita are recommended.
After indulging in some kek lapis, you might want to explore nearby attractions. Black Bean Coffee on Ewe Hai Street is a great spot for drinks, and it's just a stone's throw away from the cake shops. If you're looking for a place to relax and read, Jing Si Book and Cafe is worth considering. They offer a range of drinks and provide a tranquil atmosphere.
For those interested in kain batik Sarawak, there are likely to be options along the Main Bazaar. You can take a leisurely walk along the waterfront, browsing through the souvenir shops. This area is known for its ethnic cuisine as well, so you can satisfy your cravings for local flavours.
When it comes to transportation, it's important to consider Kuching's traffic conditions. If you have less than three or four hours, it might not be worth venturing too far from the airport to avoid the risk of missing your flight. However, if you have a longer layover or a more flexible schedule, exploring the city and its offerings becomes more feasible.
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Use the airport's free WiFi and charging points
If you're looking to pass the time at Kuching International Airport, you can take advantage of the airport's free WiFi and charging points. The airport's single terminal has recently been renovated and offers clean facilities, a wide variety of shops and restaurants, and other services.
To connect to the airport's WiFi, simply join the "Airport@Wifi" network. This can be useful for checking Google Maps for food options, looking up travel information, or staying entertained while you wait.
The airport also provides mobile charging points, so you can recharge your devices while browsing the internet or enjoying the airport's amenities.
While you wait for your flight, you can explore the duty-free shops and other stores to purchase any last-minute items or souvenirs. If you're travelling with an infant, there are baby care rooms for breastfeeding and diaper changing located on Level 1 of the terminal.
Kuching Airport is also a great place to sample local cuisine. If you're looking for a quick bite, the Premier Food Court is open 24 hours and offers a variety of options, including kolo mee and dim sum.
With its modern facilities and range of services, Kuching International Airport offers a comfortable and convenient experience for travellers, ensuring that your time in the airport is well spent.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport is very close to the city centre, so you could walk along the waterfront, eat at nearby restaurants, or browse through souvenir shops.
You could try Choon Hui Cafe or Chong Choon for laksa, or head to the Premier Food Court for kolo mee and dim sum.
You could try Black Bean Coffee or head to the Saradise neighbourhood, which has lots of bars and coffee joints.
The airport has free WiFi, baby care facilities, a currency exchange, duty-free shopping, and lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or using a lounge membership program.
